The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja held a high-level meeting with senior officials of KPMG Nigeria to address concerns raised over the implementation of newly enacted tax laws, amid intense public and private sector debate on the reforms’ implications.

The discussions, attended by representatives of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), focused on clarifying technical issues arising from a recent KPMG report which highlighted what the professional services firm described as “errors, inconsistencies, gaps, omissions and lacunae” in major provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act and related reforms.

Clarifying Grey Areas

According to an official statement by the NRS, the delegation from KPMG explained that some earlier public interpretations of their analysis had been misconstrued and expressed regret for any misunderstanding. The team used the meeting to seek further clarity on specific provisions of the new tax laws, particularly regarding the taxation of shares, treatment of dividends, non-resident tax obligations and foreign exchange deductions.

While acknowledging the professional firm’s technical concerns, the NRS said KPMG representatives commended Dr. Zacch A. Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the NRS, for his leadership and the prompt implementation of the new tax framework. The delegates described the reforms as “necessary and timely” and pledged continued engagement to support effective tax administration and national economic growth.

Government Stance on Tax Reform

The meeting follows public responses from the Federal Government, including a statement by the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who has defended the tax laws and insisted that some of KPMG’s criticisms stemmed from a misunderstanding of the policy intent behind the reforms.

Government officials have maintained that the new tax regime, which took effect from January 1, 2026, is designed to simplify the tax system, broaden the tax base, reduce the cost of doing business and stimulate investment across key sectors of the economy. They argue that these reforms, although ambitious and comprehensive, are necessary to restructure the nation’s fiscal architecture.

Call for Sustained Dialogue

Both the Federal Government and KPMG agreed that ongoing engagement and structured dialogue with stakeholders, including professional firms and business leaders, are essential to resolve emerging issues and ensure clarity for taxpayers nationwide.The two sides underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing practical challenges during the early stages of implementation.

Observers note that the outcome of these discussions could significantly influence corporate confidence, investor sentiment and compliance levels as Nigeria transitions to the new tax regime.